A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Harbin vs. Coffs Harbour for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Harbin or Coffs Harbour?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Harbin and Coffs Harbour can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Harbin or Coffs Harbour?

Harbin

Harbin, China is the northernmost major city in the country, with a population of over 10 million. Harbin was founded in 1897 by Russia, which has resulted in a lot of Russian influence throughout the city and many Russian citizens. The city is most famous for their annual International Snow and Ice Festival, a two-month-long festival running from January through February of each year.

Coffs Harbour

Coffs Harbour is in New South Wales between Brisbane and Sydney. Historically, Coffs Harbour has been a popular vacation destination among families, particularly Australian families. Most visitors today are families that are carrying on a longstanding tradition and bringing their children to the holiday destination of their childhood. You'll also find backpackers who spend up to a week here, dividing the trip between Sydney and Brisbane. The area has a well established tourist infrastructure that is not as trendy as that in Byron Bay, but it remains a wonderful community to visit if you're not looking for the party atmosphere.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in China, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best Adventure Tours to Australia, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Australia.


Which place is cheaper, Coffs Harbour or Harbin?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Harbin is $54, while the average daily cost in Coffs Harbour is $135. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Harbin and Coffs Harbour in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Harbin $21
    Coffs Harbour $63
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Harbin $42
    Coffs Harbour $126
Compare Hotels in Harbin and Coffs Harbour

Looking for a hotel in Harbin or Coffs Harbour? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Harbin


Hotels in Coffs Harbour


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Coffs Harbour Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Harbin $1.49
    Coffs Harbour $22

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Harbin

Also for Harbin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Shared Transfer Service to Ice and Snow World, Sun Island Snow Festival: $250
  • Shared Night Transfer Service to Harbin Ice and Snow World: $85
  • Private HRB Airport Departure Transfer from Harbin City Hotel: $70
  • Private HRB Airport Arrival Transfer to Harbin City Hotel: $70
  • Private Full Day Transfer Service to Harbin Top Winter Attractions: $168
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Harbin West Railway Station to Harbin City Hotel: $65
  • Harbin Taiping Airport Chauffeur Service , Harbin Airport Transfer,Pick up: $78
  • Harbin City Car Transfer Service with Driver: $168
  • Harbin Airport Chauffeur Service, Harbin Airport Transfer: $27
  • Harbin Airport (HRB) : Private Arrival Transfer with Meet & Greet Service: $32
  • Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Any Harbin Railway Station : $25

Is it cheaper to fly into Harbin or Coffs Harbour?

Prices for flights to both Coffs Harbour and Harbin change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Harbin $14
    Coffs Harbour $51

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Harbin

For Harbin, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Half-Day Private Harbin Beer Museum and Food Tour Including Harbin Beer1900: $157
  • 4-Hour Private Night Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World with Dinner Options: $261

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Harbin $52
    Coffs Harbour $41

Tours and Activities in Harbin

For Harbin, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 1-Day Harbin Private Tour: $130
  • 2-Day Harbin City Private Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $280
  • 4-Hour Private Tour of the Largest Indoor Ice and Snow Paradise: $136
  • From Amazing Day Trip Including tickets: $400
  • Full Day Private Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow Festival: $250
  • Group Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World plus Sun Island Snow Sculpture Festival: $298
  • Harbin City Group Tour including Crossing Songhua River by Ropeway and Ice Swimming Show: $290
  • Harbin City Guided Tour to Zhongyang Street and Sophia Church: $180
  • Harbin City Private Day Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $200
  • Harbin Ice Festival New Year Eve Countdown Group Tour on December 31: $200
  • Private City Tour of Harbin: $360
  • Private Half Day City Tour including Russian Town and Harbin Ropeway Ride: $150

Typical Entertainment Prices in Coffs Harbour

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Coffs Harbour's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Surfing Museum (for 2)
    $7.14

Tours and Activities in Coffs Harbour

For Coffs Harbour, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Coastal Adventure: $126
  • Coffs Harbour Whale Watch Experience: $63
  • Daytime Kayak Eco Tour of New South Wales: $40
  • Rainforest & Waterfall Experience: $126
  • Sunset Experience: $77
  • Sunset Kayak Eco Tour with Marine Scientist: $40

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Harbin $7.83
    Coffs Harbour $8.34


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Harbin and Coffs Harbour, we can see that Coffs Harbour is more expensive. And not only is Harbin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Harbin is in Asia and Coffs Harbour is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Harbin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Harbin and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Coffs Harbour would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Coffs Harbour than you might in Harbin.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Harbin Expensive? and Is Coffs Harbour Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Harbin or Coffs Harbour?

Harbin has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Coffs Harbour. When comparing the sizes of Harbin and Coffs Harbour, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.


When is the best time to visit Harbin or Coffs Harbour?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Coffs Harbour is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Harbin has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Harbin or Coffs Harbour in the Summer?

Both Coffs Harbour and Harbin are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Coffs Harbour in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Harbin is generally around the same temperature as Coffs Harbourin January. Daily temperatures in Harbin average around 24°C (75°F), and Coffs Harbour fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Coffs Harbour. It's quite rainy in Harbin. In July, Harbin usually receives less rain than Coffs Harbourin January. Harbin gets 153 mm (6 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 187 mm (7.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Harbin 24°C (75°F) 
    Coffs Harbour 23°C (74°F)

Should I visit Harbin or Coffs Harbour in the Autumn?

Both Coffs Harbour and Harbin during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Coffs Harbour for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Harbin is much colder than Coffs Harbour in the autumn. The daily temperature in Harbin averages around 7°C (44°F) in October, and Coffs Harbour fluctuates around 20°C (67°F)in April.

Coffs Harbour gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Harbin usually gets less rain in October than Coffs Harbourin April. Harbin gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 215 mm (8.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Harbin 7°C (44°F) 
    Coffs Harbour 20°C (67°F)

Should I visit Harbin or Coffs Harbour in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Harbin and Coffs Harbour. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Coffs Harbour because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Harbin can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Harbin is much colder than Coffs Harbour. Typically, the winter temperatures in Harbin in January average around -18°C (-0°F), and Coffs Harbour averages at about 13°C (55°F)in July.

In January, Harbin usually receives less rain than Coffs Harbourin July. Harbin gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Harbin -18°C (-0°F) 
    Coffs Harbour 13°C (55°F)

Should I visit Harbin or Coffs Harbour in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Harbin as well as Coffs Harbour. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Coffs Harbour this time of year.

In April, Harbin is generally much colder than Coffs Harbourin October. Daily temperatures in Harbin average around 8°C (46°F), and Coffs Harbour fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

It's quite rainy in Coffs Harbour. Harbin usually gets less rain in April than Coffs Harbourin October. Harbin gets 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Harbin 8°C (46°F) 
    Coffs Harbour 19°C (66°F)

Typical Weather for Coffs Harbour and Harbin

Harbin Coffs Harbour
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -18°C (-0°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 23°C (74°F) 187 mm (7.4 in)
Feb -14°C (7°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 23°C (73°F) 195 mm (7.7 in)
Mar -3°C (26°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 22°C (72°F) 241 mm (9.5 in)
Apr 8°C (46°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 20°C (67°F) 215 mm (8.5 in)
May 15°C (60°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 17°C (62°F) 177 mm (7 in)
Jun 21°C (70°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 14°C (58°F) 125 mm (4.9 in)
Jul 24°C (75°F) 153 mm (6 in) 13°C (55°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Aug 22°C (72°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 14°C (57°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Sep 16°C (60°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 16°C (62°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Oct 7°C (44°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) 19°C (66°F) 103 mm (4.1 in)
Nov -4°C (24°F) 8 mm (0.3 in) 20°C (69°F) 136 mm (5.4 in)
Dec -14°C (7°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 22°C (72°F) 143 mm (5.6 in)